Drainage Engineer - Engineer Senior

Working Title: Drainage Engineer

Job Class: Engineer Senior

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID : 88086

• Location : St. Paul or New Ulm

• Telework Eligible : Yes, hybrid

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 8/15/2025

• Closing Date : 9/4/2025

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Ecological and Water Resources

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes

• Salary Range: $37.82 - $55.65 / hourly; $78,968 - $116,197 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 212 - MN Govt Engineers Council/Engineers

• Last Incumbent : Nayere Ghazanfarpour

• Supervisor Name : Korey Woodley

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities ( : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Division of Ecological and Water Resources is seeking to hire a Drainage Engineer reporting out of the DNRs Central Office location in Saint Paul. This position will provide technical expertise in hydrology, hydraulic and hydrologic analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), and data management to coordinate regional environmental reviews for drainage projects statewide, with a focus on the Southern Region and other portions of the state that experience drainage-related projects and repairs. Responsibilities include:

• Coordinate regional review, analysis, response, and department recommendations through well-written advisory letters, other correspondence, emails, reports, and briefs for all Preliminary Engineering Reports (PER) and Final Engineering Reports (FER), and public drainage proposals. Manage all drainage-related data and documents using Conservation Assistance and Regulation document management protocol. Coordinate hydrologic and hydraulic modeling reviews with regional management for drainage improvement projects requiring specific hydrological modeling analysis. Conduct field reviews of proposed drainage improvement and drainage repair projects.

• Provide Southern Region and statewide representation for drainage-related review, issues, coordination, environmental review, mitigation, GIS spatial data, proposed statutes, or rule changes related to Ag drainage and severing on various local, statewide, or interdisciplinary drainage teams, workgroups, committees, providing field experiences, projects, ideas, solutions, and recommendations.

• Effectively work early in the drainage improvement or repair process to engage and clarify environmental issues with drainage authorities to consider environmental, land use, and multipurpose water management criteria.

• Maintain and improve knowledge concerning drainage projects, innovations, viewing, valuation, hydraulics, hydrology, modeling, aquatic, and wetland ecology, and apply it to work situations. Knowledgeable on appropriate public drainage literature and continued professional development through project reviews, training, conferences, and meetings relevant to the position.

This position has a negotiable reports-to-work location to be determined at the time of hire. The selected candidate will have the option to report to one of the DNRs regional offices in St Paul or New Ulm. This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete an annual telework agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

Transcripts are required for this position. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be sent instructions for transcript review after the posting close date.

• Bachelor's degree in one of the following disciplines: civil, environmental, or agricultural engineering, forest hydrology, geography, geophysics, hydrology, hydrogeology, natural resources and environmental studies, soil science, or water resources management.

• Transcript requirement

• A minimum of three (3) courses in hydrology or hydraulics.

Additional Requirements

• Registered Professional Engineer (PE), or the ability to obtain licensure through reciprocity within six (6) months of hire, and Licensure with the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design (AELSLAGID).

• Proficiency in software use, including HEC-RAS, XPSWMM, ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and other GIS applications, 3D database (including 3D and Spatial Analyst extensions), spreadsheet, and desktop publishing applications to compile, analyze, and present hydrologic and hydraulic data.

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and within teams sufficient to convey understanding of drainage systems and laws regarding drainage in Minnesota.

• Ability to take the initiative and work independently on project tasks that may be either individual or team oriented.

• Experience in hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, including applying hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software (HEC-HMS, HEC II, HEC-RAS).

• Knowledge of the technical methodologies used in modeling drainage projects.

• Organizational skills that include project management, including the ability to plan all aspects of projects and ensure process deadlines and procedural requirements are met.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in civil engineering or equivalent.

• At least five years experience in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software, using HEC-RAS/HEC-HMS, XP-SWMM/EPA-SWMM/PCSWMM/ICM, or other hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software and statistical programs like HEC-SSP or NFF program.

• Experience conducting Quality Assurance/Quality Control of hydrologic and hydraulic models.

• Strong understanding of local, state, and federal water resources programs, knowledge of principles and practices of water resources management, statutes, and rules relating to drainage, public waters, and wetlands, and FEMA Flood studies.

• Experience with stream restoration and wetland restoration design.

• Experience with permit review (such as Public Waters, Watershed District, city permits, etc.).

• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Drivers license with a clear driving record.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Criminal History Check

• Education Verification

• Employment Reference / Records Check

• License / Certification Verification

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at ... or email ... . Please indicate what assistance is needed.